1. Describe and locate
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
Chatham, MA · Barnstable County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your Chatham property? Keep pets away and call (877) 812-4220 to get carcass removal, cleanup of the area and disinfection.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Dead animal removal and cleanup is the safe removal of an animal carcass from a wall, attic, vent, crawl space, yard or home, followed by cleaning, disinfecting and odor treatment of the area.
In Chatham, a dead animal is both a smell problem and a health matter for you and your household. Call Chatham Biohazard Cleanup Help for help anywhere in Barnstable County. Crews use protective gear, remove contaminated materials and check the area before handing it back.
With roughly 46 inches of annual rainfall in Chatham, damp crawl spaces and wall voids make dead animal fluids and odor linger longer. With a vacancy rate of 55% in Chatham, a dead animal in an unused building may sit for weeks before anyone finds it.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
Technicians put on gloves, respirators and suits, then remove the animal and seal it in heavy bags for disposal.
Insulation, carpet, padding or drywall that absorbed fluids are cut out, bagged and removed.
Joists, subfloors and walls are disinfected and deodorized, and the crew lists any repairs for other trades.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Chatham, MA typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
How long the animal has been there affects the job. Longer decomposition means more fluids in insulation and framing, and stronger odor.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
Figures are planning ranges from Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor, not a price for any specific Chatham property. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Call (877) 812-4220 any hour.
The smell comes from the carcass and any fluids, so the animal has to be found and removed. Air fresheners only cover it. After removal, the area is cleaned and treated, which usually clears the smell.
Rules vary by city and county. Animal services or public works often remove animals from public roads and property, while private property is usually the owner's responsibility. Call your city or county animal services to learn what applies.
It can be. Fluids can carry germs, and pests such as flies and fleas spread through the home. Do not touch it bare-handed, keep children and pets away and wash your hands well. People with asthma or sensitive lungs should stay out of the area.
Rules for removing and disposing of dead animals vary by city and county, and animal services handle public property in many places. Worker safety follows OSHA rules for contaminated materials. Ask your city or county what applies where you are.
For work in an attic or crawl space, many people stay in the home while the crew works with containment. For heavy odor or large animals, you may prefer to be away. The team will say what makes sense for your situation.
Insulation soaks up fluids and odor and cannot be reliably cleaned. Leaving it in place means the smell can return. Replacement insulation is usually a separate job.
A dead animal can carry germs, so protection comes first.
Call (877) 812-4220